From the Desk of Brian W. McDowell

As we settle into the second semester, February brings a busy schedule of academic milestones

and extracurricular highlights. We are incredibly proud of our students for their resilience during

the winter months and their continued commitment to our mission of reaching their full potential

through creative critical thinking.

Key Dates for February

• February 9-13: FCCLA Week – Join us in celebrating our Family, Career and

Community Leaders of America.

• February 12: Kindergarten Round-Up (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM) – While at the Elementary

school, this is a great community event for our district families.

• February 13: No School for students (Teacher In-Service).

• February 16: No School (Presidents' Day).

• February 19-21: PMEA Region V Chorus Festival – Good luck to our talented vocalists

representing Fairfield!

Reminders

• Attendance: Consistent attendance is vital as we dive deeper into new semester

curricula. If your student must be absent, please remember to submit excuses via email to

Cheyenne Sites, sitesc@fairfield.k12.pa.us

• Grades: Please remember to continue to check Skyward to monitor student grades.

Report Cards for Semester 1 and Marking Period 2 have now been posted. All FAV’s are

now correct. Thank you for being patient as we worked through our 3rd party vendor to

find resolution.

Keep Moving Forward,

Brian W. McDowell Principal, Fairfield Area High School

Maya Blair competed against students from York, Adams and Franklin Counties at the Area Ag Education Contest. Maya placed first in the contest and will be representing the Mason Dixon FFA Chapter and the Area, at the Southeast Regional Contest.Below is a description of what Maya was expected to do! 

 In this event, participants design, plan, and deliver a lesson related to agriculture, food, and natural resources.

Students will be challenged to:

• Develop a lesson plan that meets educational objectives and engages learners.
• Create instructional materials that support hands-on, student-centered learning.
• Present and teach their lesson to a panel of judges as if they were in a real classroom.

 This event helps students build skills in public speaking, organization, and teaching—perfect for anyone considering a career in agricultural education or looking to strengthen their leadership and communication abilities.

Fairfield High School FCCLA is excited to celebrate FCCLA Week, taking place February 9-12, as part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. This special week highlights the impact of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and the role it plays in career exploration, leadership development, and workforce preparation through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education.

FCCLA empowers students to explore a variety of career pathways, including arts and design, hospitality and tourism, financial services, education and training, human services, and public service. Through hands-on learning experiences and leadership development, FCCLA helps members apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, preparing them with the professional and life skills needed to thrive in any career.

Throughout the week, Fairfield FCCLA will host various activities that highlight career readiness, leadership, and service. Monday February 9 is member Monday. Members are the heart of FCCLA. There are ten high school members and eleven 8th grade members in Fairfield FCCLA. Eighteen members attended the Pennsylvania Regional Leadership Meeting in November at Messiah University. Tuesday February 10 is FCCLA National Day of Service. Fairfield FCCLA members volunteer every year with the Upper Adams Lions Club during the South Mountain Fair and Apple Harvest. Wednesday February 11 is FCS Educators Day. Fairfield FCCLA celebrates all educators. Thursday February 12 is FCCLA Spirit Day. We will be rockin’ the red. Please join us in wearing red to celebrate FCCLA. Follow us on Instagram, fairfield_high_school_fccla, to see our members celebrating FCCLA week. 

We would like to recognize our independent swimmer Samantha Lawler on making the podium at both the Dover and Muhlenberg Swim meets.

Congratulations to independent bowler, Kaylee Borne. Kaylee has qualified for the District III Bowling Championships on February 21.

As we wrap up the regular season, we look forward to the post season for our HS wrestlers, Samantha Lawler, and Kaylee Borne. We wish them all of the best.

The registration form for spring sports has been released. If your son or daughter is planning on participating in a spring sport, please complete the registration form by February 27th. 

MS Spring Sports Registration Form

High School Spring Sport registration form

Congratulations to boys basketball player Gabe Williams. Gabe finished his high school career scoring 1,023 points.

On February 6th, from 5-7pm, there will be an opening reception at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg. The exhibit will showcase work from highschool students across the county. The show will hang until the end of February. Be sure to check it out!

National Art Honor Society is spreading the love! They will be holding a Valentine's Day fundraiser. Students can purchase a conversation heart magnet and note to be placed on the locker of a special someone, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Over the past several work sessions, the junior class of 2027 has come together to improve the school’s outdoor courtyard through teamwork and service. Students worked across multiple committees to complete tasks such as spreading mulch and rocks, planting preassembled greenery prepared by Ms. Donaldson, painting decorative rocks, and creating seasonal decorations, such as snowflakes. Many students took on physical labor, while others documented the progress through photos or enhanced bulletin boards throughout the school. Although the courtyard project is still ongoing, each session has brought the space closer to becoming a welcoming area for students and teachers to enjoy the outdoors and take a break from daily routines. Through this shared effort, the junior class demonstrated unity, diligence, and pride in leaving behind a more beautiful and inviting space for the entire school community.

The in school dentist is coming to Fairfield High School on 3/2/2026

Website for Parents to Enroll: https://www.myschooldentist.com/FHFAPA_schsrm

Fundraising Information:

There will be a Krispy Kreme fundraiser for our 7th through 12th grade band, chorus and show choir students. The fundraiser starts on January 14th and are due February 5th. IMPORTANT CHANGE The delivery date is changed from February 16 to Thursday, February 12. All proceeds and profits go to the individual student who sells for the upcoming adjudication field trips in May.

National Fallen Firefighters Tree Lighting Ceremony: High School Chamber Singers performed for our National Fallen Firefighters on December 5, 2025 at the FEMA Building in Emmitsburg, MD. This was an honor to perform for these heroes in our communities throughout the nation.

AMVETS Pearl Harbor Ceremony: 

The chamber singers performed at the annual AMVETS Pearl Harbor Ceremony on Sunday, December 7th in Fairfield post 172. We were proud to perform for our veterans and honor our WWII vets in particular. We also got featured in the Gettysburg Times for this event. 

High School Music Department’s Holiday Tour:

The High School Band, Choir and Show Choir had their Holiday Tour this past December 12, 2025. The students had the pleasure to visit Kitchen Kettle Village, Shady Maple (Buffet and gift shop) and the American Music Theatre. Band, Choir and Show Choir performed at the Kitchen Kettle Village - yes! It was cold! The Choir caroled in the lobby at American Music Theatre before we saw their incredible Christmas show. It was awesome! Thank you to Margaret Finafrock and Amanda Leisser for being our chaperones on this field trip.

Freaky Friday High School Spring Musical 

We are excited to have 40 students involved in the cast and crew in this upcoming musical event on March 6th & 7th, 2026

Showtimes are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Click here for the cast and crew’s rehearsal schedules. 

If you are interested in putting a business ad in our Musical program. Here is the link to the form. All business ads and money are due by February 16. This is a fundraiser for the musical. 

We are always looking for donations for concessions, candy grams, and raffle baskets for our musical to fundraise for our event. If you are interested in a donation, contact Millsp@fairfield.k12.pa.us. Thank you for your support of our music program. 

ACTI Mission

Helping students choose their path to a successful career.

ACTI Vision

The Adams County Technical Institute will continuously improve and expand career and technical education opportunities to meet the needs of the local workforce and the career goals of our students.

Upcoming Events

February 2: CTE Advocacy Day at the PA Capitol

February 11: Rescheduled ACTI Allied Health-Red Cross Blood Drive

February 11: FrAY Event at LIU - ACTI to set up a table

February 13: Vital Signs Checks at Gettysburg YMCA (Some Allied Health 1 Students Field Trip)

February 17: School Safety and Security Coordinator Meeting

February 19: Adams County Superintendents Meeting

February 20: Allied Health HCAP Field Trip to HACC Lancaster

February 25: ACTI JOC Meeting

REMINDER: SAT School Day – Tuesday, March 6 at 8:00 AM

Students who wish to participate in SAT School Day must complete the Google Form posted in ParentSquare and in the Schoology Groups for the Class of 2027.

Please note that students—not parents—must complete this form, as they are the ones participating in the test and need to confirm their own registration.

Students, stay informed! Regularly check the Schoology Counseling Group and Student Square for your graduation year to stay up to date on important updates and reminders .

Submit Records: Copies of your child’s records can be emailed to 📧 ebaughk@fairfield.k12.pa.us or dropped off at the main office .